Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 36113620

NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found that the Petitioner's consulting services to individual clients lacked demonstrated broader national impact. Conclusory claims about societal benefit were unsupported, the expert letter focused on the importance of the field rather than the specific endeavor's impact, and the anti-fraud software was not shown to extend beyond the Petitioner's clientele.

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AAO found that the Petitioner's consulting services to individual clients lacked demonstrated broader national impact. Conclusory claims about societal benefit were unsupported, the expert letter focused on the importance of the field rather than the specific endeavor's impact, and the anti-fraud software was not shown to extend beyond the Petitioner's clientele.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_10_B5203; source_row=39582
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot addressedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO did not separately address prong two, noting the Director had found it satisfied. The decision's analysis is focused on prong one (national importance) as the dispositive issue.

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AAO did not separately address prong two, noting the Director had found it satisfied. The decision's analysis is focused on prong one (national importance) as the dispositive issue.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_07_B5203; source_row=39571
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringEngineerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO finds that the Director failed to address several other documents in the record. Considering the totality of the evidence — including the Petitioner's degree, 12 years of engineering experience, current role on a fusion project, recommendation letters, employment records, licenses, performance award, and publications — AAO concludes the Petitioner is well positioned to advance his endeavor.

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AAO finds that the Director failed to address several other documents in the record. Considering the totality of the evidence — including the Petitioner's degree, 12 years of engineering experience, current role on a fusion project, recommendation letters, employment records, licenses, performance award, and publications — AAO concludes the Petitioner is well positioned to advance his endeavor.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_09_B5203; source_row=39579
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringEngineerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to waive the job offer requirement

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO faults the Director for not analyzing the evidence and, considering the Petitioner's STEM background, decade-plus of experience, and the significance of his work to U.S. energy infrastructure and cleaner energy, concludes the contributions justify waiving the job offer requirement.

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AAO faults the Director for not analyzing the evidence and, considering the Petitioner's STEM background, decade-plus of experience, and the significance of his work to U.S. energy infrastructure and cleaner energy, concludes the contributions justify waiving the job offer requirement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_09_B5203; source_row=39580
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Electrical / Electronic EngineeringEngineerBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agrees that the proposed endeavor in nuclear/fusion energy and power infrastructure has substantial merit and national importance, with potential to positively impact the national and global energy supply and the transition to cleaner energy.

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AAO agrees that the proposed endeavor in nuclear/fusion energy and power infrastructure has substantial merit and national importance, with potential to positively impact the national and global energy supply and the transition to cleaner energy.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_09_B5203; source_row=39578
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWEB-1A · Final meritsNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Final merits

final merits determination of exceptional ability

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agrees the record fails to establish exceptional ability. The CISSP, GEVA, and CEH credentials show advanced skills but not a level significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The Petitioner's self-selected resumes do not constitute a statistically valid analysis, and ~160,000 CISSP holders does not show the credential is uncommon.

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AAO agrees the record fails to establish exceptional ability. The CISSP, GEVA, and CEH credentials show advanced skills but not a level significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The Petitioner's self-selected resumes do not constitute a statistically valid analysis, and ~160,000 CISSP holders does not show the credential is uncommon.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_02_B5203; source_row=39540
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

recognition for achievements and significant contributions (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(F))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The evidence shows success in unrelated ventures but does not show recognition for achievements or significant contributions to the industry of entrepreneurial janitorial services.

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The evidence shows success in unrelated ventures but does not show recognition for achievements or significant contributions to the industry of entrepreneurial janitorial services.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_12_B5203; source_row=39593
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

letters showing at least 10 years of full-time experience (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(B))

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO disagrees with the Director: Petitioner only incorporated his janitorial venture in 2022, and prior endeavors (restaurants, parking, travel) are not in the proposed occupation; further, the letters fail to specify whether work was full-time or part-time.

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AAO disagrees with the Director: Petitioner only incorporated his janitorial venture in 2022, and prior endeavors (restaurants, parking, travel) are not in the proposed occupation; further, the letters fail to specify whether work was full-time or part-time.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_12_B5203; source_row=39589
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

license to practice the profession (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(C))

Why AAO was not persuaded

Not in contention; Petitioner did not submit evidence or argue this criterion.

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Not in contention; Petitioner did not submit evidence or argue this criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_12_B5203; source_row=39590
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWexceptional ability otherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Business / Management

Issue evaluated

exceptional ability other

membership in professional associations (8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(3)(ii)(E))

Why AAO was not persuaded

The record does not establish that IFMA is an association of professionals as defined in the regulations, and unsupported brief assertions are not evidence.

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The record does not establish that IFMA is an association of professionals as defined in the regulations, and unsupported brief assertions are not evidence.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-08-01_12_B5203; source_row=39592
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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